Certified Healthcare Technology Specialist (CHTS) Process Workflow & Information Management Redesign Practice Exam

What is an example of a decision support rule that can enhance efficiency?

1. Rules suggesting additional patient visits

2. Rules that trigger alerts for high-cost drugs and suggest lower-cost alternatives

3. Rules for increasing the frequency of lab tests

4. Rules mandating additional training for staff

The correct answer is: Rules that trigger alerts for high-cost drugs and suggest lower-cost alternatives

The choice highlighting rules that trigger alerts for high-cost drugs and suggest lower-cost alternatives serves as a prime example of a decision support rule designed to enhance efficiency. These rules are integral in clinical settings as they directly impact both the cost of care and patient outcomes. By alerting healthcare providers to the availability of lower-cost alternatives, they encourage more prudent prescribing practices while also promoting patient safety and medication adherence. This approach not only reduces financial burden on patients and payers but also helps to streamline the healthcare process by minimizing unnecessary expenditures. In contrast, suggestions for additional patient visits or increasing the frequency of lab tests may lead to increased costs or resource utilization without necessarily improving patient outcomes. Mandating additional training for staff can enhance overall service quality, yet it does not immediately link to decision support in a way that drives efficiencies in clinical practice. Thus, the focus on addressing high-cost drugs with actionable alternatives represents a direct pathway to improving operational efficiency in healthcare settings.